Pregame Primer: Saints Rumble With RoughRiders At The Stable

By Jack Milewski, 10/17/18, 9:58AM CDT

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Dubuque back on the road for last game against CR until February

For the second time this season, the Fighting Saints will square off against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Dubuque dropped the first game of the season series 3-2 in overtime but were able to secure a hard fought point. After that game, Dubuque exploded for a 12 goal outburst in two games against the Lincoln Stars and Omaha Lancers. Cedar Rapids has played only once since the two teams met last, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Sioux City Musketeers. Here is all you need to get ready for tonight’s game:

-Dubuque and CR are currently sitting in a cluster of four teams who have seven points in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are 3-1-1 through five games and have very similar stats. Dubuque is on a four game point streak since their opening day regulation loss to the Green Bay Gamblers

-Dubuque was finally rewarded for their onslaught on opposing goaltenders. Going in to last weekend, Dubuque had been peppering goaltenders with shots but not getting the results they probably deserved. That changed with the 12 goal outburst. Dubuque now had the fourth most goals in the Eastern Conference with 20.

-Derek Contessa and Ty Jackson lead the way with six points each through the first five games. Jackson totaled five points in the weekend series in Nebraska while Contessa has at least a point in every week of the season thus far.

-Cedar Rapids has used defense to catapult themselves to their 3-1-1 record this season. Blake Pietila has started all five games and, save for the game against Sioux City, has been dynamite. Pietila currently has a 2.19 GAA and a .927 SV %.

-Dubuque has a pretty good goaltender as well. Matthew Thiessen is in the same boat as Pietila, as he has started all five of the teams games thus far. Thiessen also has solid numbers, posting a 2.60 GAA and a .904 SV %.

-The last matchup between the two teams could have been a shootout, but the goaltenders were superb. CR and Dubuque combined for 70 shots but just five goals and the game went to overtime. Both Thiessen and Pietila had moments during the game where they kept their respective teams close.

-This will be the final matchup between the two in-state rivals until February. However, after that, Dubuque will play Cedar Rapids seven times before the end of the season. Furthermore, they will play five of their eight games during the month of February against the RoughRiders.

Following Wednesday’s game, Dubuque will have day off before they take on the Youngstown Phantoms at home. The game on Friday October, 19th will be Childhood Cancer Awareness Night with a special Harry Potter theme. Tickets are still on sale at DubuqueFightingSaints.com or by calling 563.583.6880.